Toy construction



Dec. 9, 1930. H. L. KRAEFT TOY CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 19, 1950 Patented Dec. 9, 1936 warren STATES PATENT orFicEj EERIJAN L. KRAEFT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOB, TO THE MURRAY OHIO MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF OHIO TOY (10NSTBUGTIQN This invention relates to toy vehicles which may be drawn or propelled over a floor by a child and which may be used as a convoyance or truck.

The general object is to provide a wheeled structure which may be used as truck or a container.

A specific object is to provide a novel closed body arrangement supported by wheels, by which arrangement articles may be transported by the child.

A further object is to provide a toy, which will closely resemble a miniature of a full sized balloon, in which the parts are extremely simple and easily formed and assembled and which may be used as a truck or container.

Another object is to provide a container which will resemble a balloon.

Other objects and features of my invention will become apparent from the following description relating to the accompanying drawings, wherein I have shown a preferred form. The essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

The drawings show the invention adapted to a toy simulating a dirigible balloon, but it is to be understood that the invention may be modified for use in connection with other types of toys, for example, other air craft, submarines, land vehicles or animals.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the toy; Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly broken away to show the bulkheads and the removable cover; Fig. 3 is a vertical trans verse section and is indicated by the lines 33 on Fig. 2; Fig. 4: is a transverse vertical section of the cover removed from the structure.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the main body, as shown, comprises two substan tially identical sections of pressed metal drawn into elongated substantially ovoid shapes to form top and bottom members in simulation of the gas bag of a dirigible balloon. These sections are designated 1 and 2. As shown, each section has an integral, outwardly extending flange 3 running substantially around the circumference of the body. The flanges 3 of each section mutually overlie each other, whereby the sections may be secured together in any suitable manner such as by welding, riveting, or the like. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the flanges are spot-welded together.

Near the front of the toy, one or both flanges may be extended as at 6 to receive a cord, by means of which a child may draw the toy. 'Near the rear end of the toy, the flanges are extended to form horizontal linlike or stabilizer members 7, while suitable vertical fin-like or rudder members 8 are secured to the body portions by welding or by any other suitable means.

The floor engaging support comprises a pair of rearwardly disposed wheels 10 mounted on an axle 11,.which may be secured to the toy in any suitablemanner. The forward portion ofthe toy may be supported by a similar wheel construction. However, I prefer to use the support shown, described in my 00- pending application (Serial N 0. 401,252, filed Oct. 21st, 1929) whichcomprises a caster 15 supported on a suitable supporting bracket 16. The body construction and floor engaging members so far described are illustrated, described and their novel characteristics claimed in my copendingapplication.

In the present invention, the upper section of the body, has intermediate its ends,,a substantially rectangular opening 20'which eX- tends lengthwise a distance aboutone-third the overall lengthof the'toy, and which extends horizontally about one third of the circumference of the entire toy. -The' portion of the body between the two bulkheads is substantially cylindrical. Adjacent the opposite ends of the openings are transverse bulkheads which, in the construction illustrated, comprise substantially circular sheet metal discs 28 and 24, whichhave outwardly extending annular flanges 25. The discs are positioned with reference to the opening 20 in such a maner that the distance between them is less than the length of the opening. The discs 23 and 24 are so positioned that the respectivefianges 25 of each disc extend outwardly with reference to the other and extend beyond the edge of the opening. In the form shown, the'fianges form a support for a cover plate 30. The bulkheads, in the construction illustrated, are solid flanged discs, however they may comprise only annular members, similar to the flanges 25. The bulkheads may be secured in position within the body by spot welding (as in the form illustrated) or by any other means such as riveting and the like.

The cover 30 comprises a sheet metal stamping, so shaped as to lie within the confines of the edges of the opening 20 and be substantially a continuation of the contour of the body itself. In the form illustrated, the cover is arcuate in cross section to conform to the body which is substantially circular.

As illustrated, the cover may have, at one side thereof a lip 31 which in the embodiment shown, comprises a pressed metal bar and is secured lengthwise, to the under side of the cover by spot welding. However, the lip may be found integral with the cover by stamping an offset in the metal substantially equivalent to the thickness of the metal.

The cover is inserted in position in the opening by sliding the lip under one edge of the body and resting the adjacent sides of the cover on the flanges 25 of the bulkheads. A leaf spring 40, one end of which is secured to the cover 30 adjacent the side opposite the lip 31, by a suitable bolt 42 extends slightly beyond the cover and serves to retain the cover in position in the opening The spring 40 has a downwardly turned lip 41, with which the edge of the body adjacent the opening, 20

coacts to cam the spring inwardly so that it will underlie the body when the cover is in a closed position. a

In order that the cover may be readily removed,-I-prefer to indent a portion 50 of the body adjacent the opening 20. The indentation 50 is of sufficient depth to permit themsertion of a small tool such as a screw driver under the cover and pry it up However, I propose to make the spring 40 of such strength that'a child may readily insert its finger in the indentation and lift the cover. I find it convenient to centrally locate both the indentation 50 and the spring 40 with reference to the edge of the opening 20.

I claim 1. In a toy of the class described, an elongated hollow body having an opening therein, transverse frame members within said body, a cover for said opening having a lip portion adapted to underlie a portion of the body,

said cover adapted to be supported by the frame members and resilient means adapted to retain the cover in position relative to the body.

2. In atoy dirigible balloon, a sheet metal body formed to simulate a gas bag, wheels disposed beneath the body, said body having an opening therein, a cover for the opening having substantially the same contour as the body, means for supporting the cover, alip .associated on the underside of the cover at one side, said lip being adapted to engage the underside of the body, a resilient member associated on the underside of the cover on the side opposite the lip, the resilient member being adapted to underlie a portion of the body, said body having a small depression on the side where the resilient member engages the same, whereby a finger may be inserted under the cover for easily removing the same.

3. In a toy dirigible balloon, a sheet metal body formed to simulate a gas bag, said body having an opening therein, a cover for the opening having substantially the same contour as the body, interengaging means between one edge of the cover and the body and resilient means associated with the opposite edge of the cover and the body for removably securing the cover, said body having a small depression substantially adjacent such opposite edge of the cover, whereby a finger may be inserted under the cover for easily opening the same.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

HERMAN L. KR AEFT. 

